'They’re Double Able,': Sangram Singh Extols India's Paralympic Heroes for Spectacular Performances

At the Gama International Fighting Championship on September 21, 2024, at Heroes Square 1 in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sangram Singh, India's premier male wrestler and former Ambassador of the Wrestling Federation of India (2014–2015), is set to square off Pakistan's Ali Raza Nasir. With his MMA debut, Singh's career represents not only his successful change from wrestling to mixed martial arts but also his dedication to popularising the sport among the young people in India. By exploring the MMA scene, Singh hopes to provide aspirant young athletes wishing to join the realm of combat sports a clear career road.

With wins in the Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship in both 2015 and 2016 and the title of World's Best Professional Wrestler in 2012, Sangram Singh has had an extraordinary wrestling career.

Also Read: 'It Was a Challenging Time': Manu Bhaker Reflects on Lessons Learned from Tokyo Olympics

Sangram Singh congratulates India’s Paralympic medal winners in Paris 

Emphasising their extraordinary talents and encouraging tenacity, Sangram Singh offers sincere congrats to India's Paralympic medallists in Paris while speaking with Republic Emphasising that the athletes are not disabled but rather "double able," he underlines their will and hard effort. Singh praises their accomplishments as a great reservoir of inspiration and fortitude for everybody. Sangram Singh said: 

“Actually, I’d say that when a lot of people refer to them as disabled, they’re not disabled; they’re double able. I want to send a message to all of you that whether you win medals or not, you all are inspiring us so much. Every little thing you do here inspires us, and it shows how hard you’ve all worked. Look at Avani, she won a gold medal, and Sumit did too. I watched the badminton match, and what a game they played! I mean, winning medals is one thing, but you all are a huge inspiration. Because of all of you, we gain so much strength to move forward. If your hands and feet are working well, you can do anything. If someone is disabled or special, it can be a bit tougher to work hard, so all of this is truly inspiring. Hats off to you all, and I wish you lots of luck!”

It is important to note that with a total of 20 medals—three gold, seven silver, and ten bronze—Indian para-athletes created history in the Paris Paralympics on September 3, 2024. This outstanding accomplishment exceeded India's former high of 19 medals taken at the Tokyo Paralympics three years before. The Indian squad earned 13 medals on Monday and Tuesday alone, therefore raising their overall count to a remarkable 20. With an outstanding performance in the women's 10-meter air rifle final, earning 249.7 points—her personal best—Indian shooter Avani Lekhara guaranteed India's first gold medal in Paris. 

With 19 medals—five gold, eight silver, and six bronze—India ranked first among all the countries at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics (August 24–September 5, 2021). 

As Sangram Singh awaits his MMA debut this month, it is anticipated that he will eye glory against Ali Raza. Giving the fans another spectacle to enjoy of India vs Pakistan.